Saturday 24 September 2011

Pink Mist


Pink Mist is the fourth paper cut from a new body of work.



I’m still trying to figure out why and how this new body of work came about. I think it is a reaction to the highly rigid structure of my paper cuts.  For these new pieces my inspiration came from a number of sources -
  • Decaying leaves, full of holes and patterns. yet still strong and complete. Trees that grow in random and chaotic ways.



  • Working on experimental paintings with the most excellent Thomas Ebele. His working methods involves pouring paint and letting it create the imagery. For me this was an attempt to play with colour and random abstract imagery. Here’s an example of his work ‘Bull by the horns’ 2008.


For Pink Mist I poured, dribbled and splashed paint onto paper. Then I started to cut into it using the paint marks as my guide. Into this I also added some imagery – a butterfly trapped in the web of branches.  




By cutting and carving into the paint the work becomes sculptural  and the shapes, lines and colours take on new meanings. I then work into the paint to highlight and emphasize the flow, shapes and colours.


Friday 16 September 2011

Summer paper cutting workshop

During the summer I was lucky enough to be invited to do a 1.5 day paper cutting workshop for children at Taipei's Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).


The kids had lots of fun (I hope!) making all kinds of interesting and fun cuts.

We designed and cut beautiful butterflies,

Our own cartoon characters,


And paper chains.


What did we do with all the paper scraps? - we decorated masks!


The kids' imagination and skills were fantastic and it's amazing how it all feeds into my own artwork. Great Fun! and Great Learning!